Namibia

Namibia new date (2018) 200-dollar note (B213c) confirmed

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Like B213b, but new date (2018). Prefix P.

Courtesy of Heinrich Lindner.

Namibia new date (2018) 100-dollar note (B212b) confirmed

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Like B212a, but new date (2018). Prefix K.

Courtesy of Heinrich Lindner.

Namibia new date (2018) 20-dollar note (B217b) confirmed

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Like B217a, but new date (2018). Prefix E.

Courtesy of Heinrich Lindner.

Namibia new date (2016) 50-dollar note (B211b) confirmed

Namibia_BON_50_dollars_2016.00.00_B211b_P13_G_37779672_fNamibia_BON_50_dollars_2016.00.00_B211b_P13_G_37779672_r
Like B211a, but new date (2016). Prefix G.

Courtesy of Heinrich Lindner.

Namibia new 20-dollar note (B217) without OVI confirmed

According to a media release dated 6 October 2015, on 20 October the Bank of Namibia introduced new 10- and 20-dollar banknotes which are like the existing notes (B214 and B215, respectively), but without the large OVI diamond at center front as a cost-savings measure.

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Courtesy of Heinrich Lindner.

Namibia new 10-dollar note (B216) without OVI confirmed

According to a media release dated 6 October 2015, on 20 October the Bank of Namibia introduced new 10- and 20-dollar banknotes which are like the existing notes (B214 and B215, respectively), but without the large OVI diamond at center front as a cost-savings measure.

Namibia_BON_10_dollars_2015.00.00_B216a_PNL_A_78952579_fNamibia_BON_10_dollars_2015.00.00_B216a_PNL_A_78952579_r

Courtesy of Heinrich Lindner.

Namibia new 10- and 20-dollar notes (B216 and B217) without OVI reported for 20.10.2015

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B214a

Namibia_BON_20_dollars_2013.00.00_B215a_P12b_D_44353333_f
B215a

According to a media release dated 6 October 2015, on 20 October the Bank of Namibia will introduce new N$10 and N$20 banknotes which are like the existing notes (B214 and B215, respectively, shown above), but without the large OVI diamond at center front as a cost-savings measure.

Courtesy of Heinrich Lindner.

Namibia new date (2015) 200-dollar note confirmed

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Namibia_BON_200_dollars_2015.00.00_B213b_P15_N_98591999_r
B213b
200 dollars, 2015. Like B213a, but new date. Prefix N.

Courtesy of Heinrich Lindner.

Namibia new 10- and 20-dollar notes confirmed

Namibia_BON_10_dollars_2013.00.00_B14a_PNL_fNamibia_BON_20_dollars_2013.00.00_B15a_PNL_f
According to a media release dated 13 July 2012, the Bank of Namibia “has observed that the diamond shape feature on some of the N$ 10 and N$ 20 banknotes is cracking after multiple folding or handling.” These affected notes feature a large OVI (optically variable ink) diamond with latent image of the denomination. The higher denominations aren’t affected because they use different security features.

The bank laid the blame on the paper and placement of the OVI feature in the center of the note where it is subjected to the most folding. On 4 June 2013, the bank announced it improved the paper quality and shifted the placement of the OVI feature to avoid being folded. Beginning 17 June, the bank put a limited quantity of the new notes into public circulation for three months to determine if these changes solve the problem.

These notes are like the preceding issues, but with new date (2013) on back.

Courtesy of Phil Martin and Heinrich Lindner.

Namibia new 10- and 20-dollar notes' OVI cracking in circulation

Namibia_BON_10_D_2012.00.00_B9a_PNL_S_02052045_fNamibia_BON_20_D_2012.00.00_B10a_PNL_H_27609027_f
According to an article in The Namibian and an article in New Era, both dated 16 July 2012, as well as a media release dated 13 July 2012, the Bank of Namibia "has observed that the diamond shape feature on some of the N$ 10 and N$ 20 banknotes is cracking after multiple folding or handling."

These notes (BON B9 and B10) were issued 15 May 2012, and feature a large OVI (optically variable ink) diamond with latent image of the denomination. The higher denominations aren't affected because they incorporate different security features.

“From a banknote technical printing perspective, this phenomenon is supposed not to be the case,” said Deputy Governor Ebson Uanguta.

The bank is investigating whether the problem is caused by handling or the ink used by the printer, Oberthur Technologies. The results are expected by August, and may necessitate reprinting the notes.

Namibia new 2011-2012 banknote family confirmed

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B209 (PNL): 10 dollars (US$1.50)
Blue. Front: H.E. Dr. Sam Nujoma; Parliament building in Windhoek; green-to-gold OVI diamond with latent image 10. Back: Coat of arms; three standing springbok antelope (Antidorcas marsupialis). Green-to-magenta/blue windowed security thread with demetalized BON 10. Watermark: Sam Nujoma and electrotype 10. Printer: (Oberthur Technologies). 129 x 70 mm.
a. 2012. Signature 4. Intro: 15.05.2012.

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B210 (PNL): 20 dollars (US$2.95)
Orange. Front: H.E. Dr. Sam Nujoma; Parliament building in Windhoek; green-to-magenta OVI diamond with latent image 20. Back: Coat of arms; three standing red hartebeest. Green-to-magenta/blue windowed security thread with demetalized BON 20. Watermark: Sam Nujoma and electrotype 20. Printer: (Oberthur Technologies). 134 x 70 mm.
a. 2011. Signature 4. Intro: 15.05.2012.

Curiously, the 20-dollar note is dated 2011, whereas all the other denominations bear the date of 2012 at lower center on back.

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B211 (PNL): 50 dollars (US$7.35)
Green. Front: Kaptein Hendrik Witbooi; Parliament building in Windhoek; green-to-gold SPARK bank logo. Back: Coat of arms; five standing kudo antelope (Tragelaphus stepsiceros). Green-to-magenta/blue windowed security thread with demetalized BON 50. Watermark: Hendrik Witbooi and electrotype 50. Printer: (Oberthur Technologies). 140 x 70 mm.
a. 2012. Signature 4. Intro: 15.05.2012.

Namibia_BON_100_D_2012.00.00_B10a_PNL_K_48893630_f
Namibia_BON_100_D_2012.00.00_B10a_PNL_K_48893630_r
B212 (PNL): 100 dollars (US$15)
Pink. Front: Kaptein Hendrik Witbooi; Parliament building in Windhoek; green-to-gold SPARK bank logo. Back: Coat of arms; three standing oryx antelope (Oryx gazella). Green-to-magenta/blue windowed security thread with demetalized BON 100. Watermark: Hendrik Witbooi and electrotype 100. Printer: (Oberthur Technologies). 147 x 70 mm.
a. 2012. Signature 4. Intro: 15.05.2012.

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B213 (PNL): 200 dollars (US$29)
Purple. Front: Kaptein Hendrik Witbooi; Parliament building in Windhoek; green-to-purple SPARK bank logo. Back: Coat of arms; three standing roan antelope. Green-to-magenta/blue windowed security thread with demetalized BON 200. Watermark: Hendrik Witbooi and electrotype 200. Printer: (Oberthur Technologies). 152 x 70 mm.
a. 2012. Signature 4. Intro: 15.05.2012.

Courtesy of Heinrich Lindner.

Namibia unveils new notes due in May

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According to an article in The Namibian dated 22 March 2012, the decision of the Bank of Namibia to replace the portrait of anti-colonialist Chief Hendrik Witbooi with that of founding President Sam Nujoma on the new 10- and 20-dollar (US$1.30 and 2.60, respectively) notes has stirred up a bit of controversy. These notes, along with other denominations which retain Witbooi's portrait, were unveiled on 21 March, but won't be issued until May.

Further details about security features on these notes can be found here.

Courtesy of Thomas Krause, Marcus Jansson, and Claudio Marana.

Namibia bank official discusses new banknotes due next week

According to an interview in AllAfrica dated 14 March 2012, the Bank of Namibia is set to unveil a new series of banknotes on 21 March 2012 and issue them in May. Ndangi Katoma, the bank's director of strategic communication, discusses the history of Namibia's banknotes and the decision to change the portraits as well as improve security features.

Namibia chapter of The Banknote Book is now available


The Namibia chapter of The Banknote Book is now available for individual sale and as a free download to subscribers.

This 7-page catalog covers notes issued by the Namibia Reserve Bank in 1990, and the Bank of Namibia from 1993 to present. Revised 8 May 2016.

Each chapter of The Banknote Book includes detailed descriptions and background information, full-color images, and accurate valuations. The Banknote Book also features:
  • Sharp color images of note’s front and back without overlap
  • Face value or date of demonetization if no longer legal tender
  • Specific identification of all vignette elements
  • Security features described in full
  • Printer imprint reproduced exactly as on note
  • Each date/signature variety assigned an individual letter
  • Variety checkboxes for tracking your collection and want list
  • Date reproduced exactly as on note
  • Precise date of introduction noted when known
  • Replacement note information
  • Signature tables, often with names and terms of service
  • Background information for historical and cultural context
  • Details magnified to distinguish between note varieties
  • Bibliographic sources listed for further research

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Namibia to unveil new notes on 21 March 2012

According to a press release dated 10 May 2010 [sic], the Bank of Namibia has announced that it will issue new banknotes sometime after 21 March 2012. The new family will have the same denomination structure as the current series: 10, 20, 50, 100, and 200 dollars. All denominations will have improved anti-counterfeiting features, and the portrait of Kaptein Hendrik Witbooi will be retained for all but the 10- and 20-dollar notes, which will feature a new portrait of Sam Nujoma, the founding president and father of the Namibian nation. The existing notes will circulate in parallel with the new ones.

Informanté has published an article dated 15 February 2012 which states that the notes will be issued “right after Independence Day (21 March).”

According to a media release by Bank of Namibia issued on 24 February 2012, the new set of notes (N$ 10, 20, 50, 100, 200) will be presented to the public for the very first time on Independence Day (21 March 2012), but will not be issued until May, giving the bank time to launch an information campaign.

Judging from the large number of virtually uncirculated N$ 10, 50, 100 and 200 notes in circulation now, It appears there are still a large number of "old type" notes in stock, which the bank is trying to use up. However, the "old style" N$ 20 has virtually disappeared from circulation, and those that are in use are usually torn and dirty. Note that all notes currently in circulation still carry the signature of the previous governor, Tom Alweendo. Notes with the signature of the current governor were never issued.

Courtesy of Jay Mollindo and Heinrich Lindner.

Namibia new 100-dollar variety confirmed


100 dollars (US$12.95), no date. Like Pick 7, but J prefix and 8-digit serial number. Printed by SABN without imprint. Issued 2009.

Courtesy of Andrew Roberts.

Namibia new prefix 10- and 20-dollar notes confirmed


10 dollars (US$1.35), no date. Like Pick 4, but 8-digit serial number with B prefix and no UV 10 at right front.


20 dollars (US$2.70), no date. Like Pick 6, but 8-digit serial number with H prefix.

Courtesy of Andrew Roberts.

Namibia new varieties (ND 2007) confirmed


10 dollars (US$1.30), ND (2007). Like P4, but 8-digit serial number with A prefix commencing with A20000001. Printer: François Charles Oberthur Fiduciare (without imprint).


20 dollars (US$2.55), ND (2007). Like P6, but 8-digit serial number with J prefix commencing with J25000001. Printer: François Charles Oberthur Fiduciare (without imprint).


100 dollars (US$12.80), ND (2007). Like P12, but 8-digit serial number with T prefix commencing with T29000001. Printer: De La Rue (without imprint).

Courtesy of Andrew Roberts.